Last week, a good friend whom I originally met from his participation on this site contacted me. This fellow recently moved to the Philippines. He will be living here for a while, but probably not permanently. Because he doesn’t expect to be living here permanently, my friend opted not to go for a permanent resident visa. Instead, he was able to obtain a Balikbayan Visa.
With a Balikbayan Visa, you can stay in the country for 1 year with no hassles at all. No need to go do any kind of Visa renewals, no checking in at the Bureau of Immigration, no nothing. Just enter the Philippines, get the Balikbayan stamp in your Passport, and stay for up to a year. It is certainly a big convenience. At the end of the year, you can even stay longer, because you can then convert your Balikbayan Status to a Tourist Visa and stay for another 16 months, although you will then need to do all of the normal Visa Renewals during that time. But, all in all, getting a 28 month stay is a nice way to do it, unless you need to stay longer than that.
My friend told me that he was having difficulty opening a bank account and asked me what he should do. I confirmed with him that he was here on the Balikbayan program, and he said that he was. Well, that presents a small problem.
In the Philippines, under the law, anybody can open a bank account. There are no legal restrictions from anybody opening a bank account of any kind. Problem is, that is not how it works in practice. You see, when a foreigner wants to open a bank account, the bank almost always asks to see an ACR (Alien Certificate of Registration). An ACR used to be a piece of paper showing that you can legally reside in the Philippines. Things have changed though, and now and ACR is a plastic card similar in looks to a credit card or a driver’s license. You can only get an ACR if you are here under some kind of permanent visa. A tourist cannot get an ACR card.
Since almost all banks are looking for an ACR card in order to open your bank account, it is not easy to open an account without an ACR. Oh, I’ve heard of a few times when a bank has relented and opened an account without such a card, but only very few such incidents. As I said, the law does not require an ACR card in order to obtain a bank account, but the banks do. Since it is the bank that you are dealing with, you must generally meet their requirements.
My friend went on and asked me what he could do. The only thing I could advise was that he should go from bank to bank and ask to open an account. He may find one that will do it for him, or maybe somebody will forget to ask for an ACR card. Other than that, I know of no way that you can open a bank account in the Philippines.
Good luck to you, my friend, and I hope that you find a bank that will help you out. If you do, let me know, so that I can update this article and pass the news on to others who might have such a need.
Bob:
HSBC in his home country will open a premier acct, but it requires a substantial initial deposit.
I'm dealing with the same thing until I can sit still long enough for my visa (In fact, I had to get my fingerprints for the police clearance (FBI) done in the States this AM… NBI or QC police dept. would not do it in Manila). Metrobank offered to add me to Rebecca's account with a guarantor (Depositor over US$100,000, Philippine citizen), and she offered to do it, but I just didn't feel right accepting her offer.
Yes Bob, your friend could try " Bank Roulette " and as you mention he might be able to open an account. It can be rather trying on ones patience like when I spent a whole day going around to what seemed like an endless amount of Banks and ATM's trying to get some cash LOL !
If there are any banks in the area that are USA based ( if your friend is from the USA ) and he has an account with that bank in the USA that might be a good place to start.
When I was in CDO there was a branch of CitiBank there, as far as I know that is a USA based bank, to use that as an example. Possibly a websearch of banks in the Philippines would reveal more USA Based banks with branches there. I think something like that might be a good place to start. It would be interesting to hear if your friend does find a bank where he can open an account.
Bob; Not meaning to step on Bob's toes, but Citibank is here, but it is actually a completely separate company than Citibank in the States. (As are branches of all foreign banks.)
I had once looked into opening an account at Metrobank's sole US branch in New York, but the online service is only available at the Philippine branches.
Thanks for that info John, I will remember that next time I visit.
Hi Bob,
I was looking at opening an account with PNB. There's a branch office here in Chicago and they were quite helpful. I never got around to doing it yet. During this past April's visit to Davao, I used the extensive ATM network of BPI. They had from what I saw a lot of ATMs throughout Davao. I now favor BPI so I guess I will face this dilemma of an ACR card when the time comes.
Hi John – Yes, my friend and I talked about HSBC, but I did tell him that minimum deposit levels were very high.
Hi Bob NY – There are a number of banks with presences in both countries, but as John Miele correctly pointed out, those must be set up as separate companies, and only have an arms length relationship with each other.
Hi John – No problem, and you indeed are 100% on target.
Hi Henry – PNB has a number of branches based in the US. I didn't know about Chicago, but they do have branches in New York and Los Angeles too, perhaps others. Still, though, it's not as easy as just opening an account there and then coming to the Philippines… unfortunately.
Apart from opening an account in your own country at a branch of a Philippines Bank why not try and take a Philippine friend (professional person) along with you to make an introduction. This method opens a door or two. Its a matter of 'who you know'.
It does work.
Hi John – Certainly true that who you know is very important in the Philippine Culture. In my friend's case, he was with his Filipina wife, but it didn't seem to help him out.
Bob,
Bank of America, and Citi Bank have offices in Manila. Aren't they connected to their branches and accounts in the U.S. ? John
Yes , they are connected .
Hi Bob
I have two bank accounts in the Philippines. I had no trouble opening the account. If I want to I can buy treasury bills, bonds and even the stock market if I wanted to open up an account for that. All you need to do is show your passport and ID. You also need to use a local address.
Hi John – Yes, they have offices. Yes, they are "connected' to their US counterparts. Under Philippines law, though, they are a different company, formed in the Philippines.
Hi neil – what you say was true 10 years ago when I opened several Philippine bank accounts. The law today is the same, but the practice is not. I have been present when friends with the exact items you describe were denied accounts because they had no ACR.
Hi Bob,
I thought I would let you and the fellow readers know that Metrobank gave me an account. It was a process that involved giving them 2 passport photos and copies of a couple forms of ID (passport included). They stated that they were letting me open the account because I was married to a Filipino citizen…of course she is also a co-account holder; but, I can walk in there (And any Metrobank branch) and bank myself. Also…all of their services are available to me. I really like the fact that they have a US routing number. It makes it easy to transfer money into our account from the US. I even have an allotment from my pay set up to deposit into Metrobank. Ohh and they gave us a Filipino credit card…this works well because sometimes it is good to have one with a Filipino address on it.
I will admit that it took me by surprise as to how banking worked there, but I soon grew used to taking my number and waiting to say what I wanted…and then waiting some more until they gave it to me..haha…Ohh and you really have to expect that sometimes their computers will be down and there is nothing you can do about it. That really is a drag when you need a large sum of money and no metrobank in the country can give it to you.
Metrobank's online system also is nice because it allows me to move money into other Metrobank accounts…(nice for quickly giving the family some money)
I think you just need to be very polite while at the same time assertive…make sure you talk to the branch manager.
Garrett
Hi Garrett – Thanks for sharing that. I have never had trouble opening an account or banking, but I am a legal full time resident here. For others, some have been able to open bank accounts, others have had trouble. I was thinking, this could be a regional thing too, although I know of people who have had such trouble in Mindanao and also in the Visayas.
I'm glad you banking needs are working out well, Garrett.
My guess is some of the banks have been burned by foreigners before…as such they may be cautious to open an account to a foreigner. We opened our account in Dipolog if anyone cares to know…maybe trying in the smaller cities will help.
Talk to you later
Garrett
Hi Garrett – Good to know, thanks….
Bob you are so right when you said if you know someone. I knew only Josey the first time I came there and I brought American Express Checks. Try and cash one hehe Well her Aunt knew someone at her bank, Bank of The Philippines Islands. Took me and in and got me account so I could cash in American Express Checks. I am sure I was lucky but it is who you know and not sometimes how rich you are.
Hi folks, I have a simple solution to this – please see the below paste from my email (edited slightly for brevity and to remove some personal details – but apart from that, verbatim). You'll nee to read it from the bottom up.
*** Paste begins ***
Good morning and thank you for visiting the Metrobank website, Mr. X.
Regarding your inquiry on account opening, for security purposes, we require that a client be physically present at the branch to submit the requirements and personally sign the necessary account opening forms. As you are presently based overseas, we suggest that you call any of our foreign branches or affiliate banks, listings of which you may access by clicking http://www.metrobank.com.ph/foreign_branch_view.a… or http://www.metrobank.com.ph/sub_international.asp for any inquiries. Should there be no Metrobank branch in your area able to service your inquiries and requirement, please feel free to visit any Metrobank branch upon your visit to the Philippines and we shall be glad to assist you with your banking requirements.
At any rate, for your information, following are the requirements for account opening:
1) Birth certificate or passport (original and photocopy)
2) At least two (2) valid IDs (original and photocopy)
3) Two (2) 2"x2" pictures
4) Initial deposit requirements
Php ATM savings account : P2,000.00
Please note that account opening is subject to the approval of a bank officer.
Thank you and please write to us again to let us know how we may be of further assistance.
Ma. Isabel S. Benitez
Product Management Department
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
Telephone number (632) 8988702
—–Original Message—–
From: Kent
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 2:10 AM
To: Benitez Ma. Isabel S
Subject: Re: Opening an account in the Philippines
Oops,
I should have mentioned, the account I am looking at is your 'Metrobank E.T. Savings'. Is that what you would recommend as the most appropriate product for someone in my situation. I've no need of a credit card nor cheque book.
Many thanks,
Kent.
Kent wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I'm from the UK but will be in the Philippines for most of next year
> and some of 2009. I am trying to get everything organised for this
> visit and one of the things I want to do is to open a bank account
> with you guys before I get there.
>
> Naturally I'd be doing some sort of transfer from my UK account
> (SWIFT?) for the opening balance, then making a large transfer (a few
> hundred thousand pesos) just prior to my arrival.
>
> Is it possible to open an account from the UK by fax, email and mail,
> or, is this something I need to wait until I arrive to do?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Kent.
Hi andy – Yeah, cashing traveler's checks is very difficult in the Philippines.
Hi Kent – The biggest, most important line in the whole e-mail is the line where it says:
Most of the time the bank officer won't approve if you don't have an ACR.
Haha – I thought that line just meant I'd better wear deodorant that day 🙂
It is worth noting that I didn't actually go through with this…. my feeling is though, that if one were to give it a crack in an office that isn't in the Philippines, then, the bank officer is much less likely to insist on an ACR – locally employed staff (in the non PI branch) will be more used to doing this sort of thing, won't be so aware of 'unwritten' in country procedure and so on.
Hi Kent – Oh yes… going to an office in a different country is totally different from what I am talking about. I am only talking about opening a bank account at a bank inside the Philippines. You absolutely should not ever need an ACR if you are in a different country.
Bob
I initially set my account up with the help of the US Embassy in Manila because i initiated my ss via direct deposit from here in the Philippines .At that time an ACR was not required and i don't know if that has changed or not . Obviously this method would not apply to someone not on ss . 🙂
As a side note i have noticed some changes however related to my type of account . I was told by the embassy that i could only have a passbook account and to my knowledge that still holds true . I was also told that only i could make a withdrawal unless i had a power of attorney ( should i be hospitalized for instance ) .
Now , if i sign my signature on one line of the withdrawal slip as depositor and my wife signs her name on another line as receipent she can and does withdraw my funds . That saves me from having to go to the bank of course but also raises some questions .
What would prevent a new employee that did not know my wife from withdrawing my funds should i ever lose my passbook ? 🙂 The passbook itself contains all of the information needed to make a withdrawal including name , account number and personal info they added to the passbook i assume for security purposes like my middle name , phone number , etc .
I haven't bothered to follow up on this except to question the procedure at the bank . When i did so i was told that because my original account holder ( Equitable ) had been bought out by my present account holder ( BDO ) they could do that because in reality they did not offer direct deposit to new customers but would honor my existing agreement . 🙂
Makes me wonder though why they would feel it's ok to dispense your money so freely when they are so strict about opening an account to begin with . 🙂
Hi Alan – The law does not require an ACR, but many banks are now requiring it in practice, not by law. I can certainly vouch that there are some banking procedures that are not quite what you would expect.
John:
I have a BOA account in the States, and the Manila office is completely useless for account access…Online or office do not allow it. Two completely separate entities. This was the first thing I tried when I moved there.
Bob
This kind of threw a wrench into the works for my plan, as I will be claiming Balikbayan status when I go to RP.
When I travel to RP I plan to remitt $$ thru BPI to myself so I don't have to fly with a WAD of cash. Do you know if I would have any problems with claiming my $$ because I would not have a account opened at the bank that I would be claiming my $$ at?
i made the mistake of bringing american express travelers checks to cebu theres only one office next to ayala and there exchange rate was low! i have done everything ! travelers checks i even western unioned money to my self before i left the states just in case my money or credit cards got stolen or for some reason my atm card didnt work or the machines where down! my wife was suprised when we went to western union and i had money waiting for me! always be prepared for the worst scenario when being a tourist!
Possibly you could send yourself money through Western Union, but that is expensive. What about your wife, she could probably open an account, and you could wire the funds to her account? Just a thought. Good luck, Neal.
Hi Mike – You are a wise man, using many different solutions! 😀
A wise Filipino expat(it might have been Mindanao Bob)once said something to the effect that in the Philippines who you know is more important than what you know. In the Philipines, realtionships are paramount.
What does this mean to someone trying to open a bank account? Well on one of the expat forums I follow(this one was Cebu related), an expat poster "dropped" the name of a bank officer who was interested in soliciting expat business. he indicated that if you went to her bank location and asked for her by name, she'd readily open an account with few questions asked. Last I heard, the bank she worked at had promoted her to vice president because of the large volume of new deposits she'd manage to solicit.
The moral of the story is; When you want to get something done in the Philippines (or any third world country), rely heavily on your network of relatives, friends and acquaintances. There's bound to be someone who knows someone that can help you.
David S: I agree with your statement that in the Philippines it is "who" you know that kept things moving like opening a bank account with no hassle. My personal experience is an example. I used to form in line (for hours sometimes), when I do my bank transaction. When I found out that my sister-in-law knew the manager, I ask her to introduce me to the bank manager.( Actually, I just went directly to the office of the manager and introduced myself as the brother in law of… ). From then on all my business transaction are done in private in her office and I no longer wait in line. There is however a requirement, I have to open a premium account with minimum balance of 25K pesos or $500 which is very reasonable.
Bob
Thanks for the idea, but my wife is now a American Citizen so I assume she would not be able to open a account. Now if she reaquired her RP citizenship I may not be able to use the Balikbayan priveledge when we travel there. I have to do some research on this and I will pass along any good info that I may get.
When you get the premium site going and provide theese type of cold hard facts,people will be lining up to subscribe and I will be at the head of the line.
bob
daghang salamat kaayo sa paragraph 2. dugay na nga dinha ko. i was very confused with unsay requirements. kon muanha ko diha with my bana sa davao, gusto kami pag meet nimo ug feyma. maybe i could even go to the mercado with you and your fellow language students. i think it would be alegre kay ang manga tawo mag sulti sa bisaya pero i dont have all my words and your vocabulary and understanding will be much better than mines.
salamat again.
maria
Hi David S. – You are a wise man! Everything you say there is very, very true.
Hi David – Yep, it's the "who you know" in action!
Neal – No problems for your wife, citizen or not. When she walks into the bank, the see a Filipina. They don't ask about citizenship. She can open an account with no problems at all, believe me. When you or I walk in, they see a foreigner, and the walls go up. Unfortunately, that is the way that it works here in many respects.
Maayong buntag, Maria, Kumusta? Whenever you and your husband are in Davao, Feyma and I would be happy to meet you! Want to come along to the market? Sige na! Let's do it.
Yes me and my filpina wife where trying to open an account and where turned down. ALL though she was born in manila she is not a Philippine citizen. We are here on a Balibyan visa. Just arrived a little over two weeks ago. No acr and no bank account. That is one thing I forgot to research. Don't matter though as we have an account in the U.S. and are using our atm card. She will be applying for dual citizenship soon however. My brother in law told me that he knows a man who runs a bank that might let me open an account but thats ok will just use the US Bank for now. Good info as I thought it was a gov. rule.
Hi Robert – I believe that if your wife went in by herself then she would have no problem opening an account. They just don't ask citizenship when you apply. If a foreigner like you or I is there, then they know that it is an issue.
Neal,
Why would you think that if your wife re-acquired her Philippine citizenship, you could not avail of the Balikbayan priveledge? I don't believe that is the case at all.
Even for a Philippine citizen, BDO requires two 2×2 photos, tax ID card or post office ID. PNB required the same when my wife opened an account there also. When I first arrived, I had a tourist visa (waiting for my SRRV to be approved) and PNB never asked for an ACR card when I opened an account there. I did have to provide two 2×2 photos and passport.
Hi Francisco – You are absolutely right about the Balikbayan Visa. Reacquiring Philippine Citizenship should have no bearing on Neal getting the Balikbayan stamp on his passport when entering the country.
hello bob
this is my first time writing you, ive recently returned from cebu,phil. and im planning on returning in sept since im retiring early. my fiance and i have decieded to stay in cebu for 1 year then relocate to florida. in reading your comments and those of your readers. ive learned much.but can you expand on this acr .i would like to open an account perhaps with BDO .since id be having a direct deposit sent there from my pension. what would you recommend any insight into this would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.
walter g. (usa)
Hi walter – You are just in time! On Wednesday morning (Tuesday evening in the States), I have an article on how you CAN open a bank account in the Philippines, even if you are a tourist! So, tune in again.
An ACR is an "Alien Certificate of Registration" it is sort of like a Green Card. You would get that by applying at the Bureau of Immigration.
hi bob i will retire in september in the philippines . i need to put 10000.00 in a special bank u now one in los angeles? name and address please help god bless
Can anybody tell me do BPI have a regular routing number not the swift number because it doesn't work with my bank or my employer allotment system.
Also, what is remittance form
Yes. It was a very big mistake to bring my husband with me to open a bank account at SM City Cebu, last year.
He gets frustrated of the slow service, and bank officers are so snobbish. Long story short, we were DENIED. That ACR thingy!
I was a former Filipina that worked in Philippine Banking Corporation, merged, now owned by Metrobank.
Things have changed in the last 10 years, since I left.
I am now Canadian, and in vacation to Cebu.
This year my fellow banker friends told me to open the account in my own name, use my SSS card and postal ID as identification. Even if I don't have a Filipino passport anymore, I am sure they won't ask for ACR. I am as brown as any Filipino can get, so probably, I won't disclose that I am Canadian.
Probaby, I will open an ATM with Passbook, so next time my husband come home with me, he can use the ATM card.
I am reading all the stories, and it really amaze me that Filipino hospitality does not apply to banking anymore.
Thanks Bob.
Angelina
Hi Angelina – The thing about the banking, with it's relation to hospitality, is that the law does not require the banks to do like that. It really surprises me that they do like that!
Bob, Do you know what banks in the Philippines would cash in U.S. savings bonds? You can just refer to me as NagaRik.
Hi NagaRik – Sorry, but I don't know of any Philippine banks that cash US savings bonds. I have never tried, though, so I can't say for sure.
How's it going MindanaoBob? Well, I am a US citizen neither married to a filipina but plan on getting married to my future wife (Vanessa) who lives in Cebu in the US april of 2010. Anyway, would it be better for me to have her open up an account at MetroBank while she still lives in Cebu? I was there last christmas and it was a breeze for me to use my ATM card to get money out, I think in maximum of 10,000PHP. I would love to be able to transfer money from my bank to save up for purchasing a home in the later future when we retire in Cebu. Plus, do the philippines have Visa checkcards like in the US? Oh, and can a US citizen deposit some money at the bank for someone who is philippino if they are not able to?
Hello Brown Hornet – Well… as a US Citizen who does not have residency here, it may be difficult for you to open a bank account here. Most banks will require at least an ACR card (like a Philippine Green Card) for you to open an account. You can get an ACR card, even if you are here as a tourist, but you will need to be here a while to actually get it.
Checkcards? Do you mean Debit Cards? I think that Checkcard is a brand name that somebody owns, but it is a Debit Card, I believe. Like a credit card, but the money comes out of your bank account. Yeah, they have those here. The one I recommend is a Union Bank Eon Card.
Thanks my friend. I did mean a debit card. I read alot of your advice on the ACR card so it's safe to say that I pretty much can't open an account without it though it can be done through a miracle by God! LOL! Maybe it will be easier to just start a CD account at my bank in the US and then just transfer the money once I finally have a permanant residence in Cebu. Union Bank Eon card? Note taken.
i inquired this situation for a friend over at allied bank through phone. i specifically mentioned that all he need is a simple savings account with an atm card. the bank's requirements are valid id's and a temporary TIN number. of course i mentioned ahead that my friend is just a regular visitor in the philippines and does not hold any other special visas, plra nor acr. any idea where to get the temporary TIN here in the philippines? thanks
Since a visitor cannot work here legally, I do not believe they can get a TIN.
I am a US citizen and I want to move to the Philippines. I am on social security disability, which I was told I will still receive when I am in the Philippines. I no I can't become a citizen, or ever own land, but can I buy a condo? I am just wanting to know everything I need to do to make my dream come true. I think one advantage I do have, is the fact I have a close filipino friend who lives in Cavite. Any info you can give me would be appreciated. I have been reading about getting a Retirement Visa, which looks like they require a deposit of $50,000.00, but I read that part of this money can be used to buy a condo. Please help me. I want to be with my girlfriend.
Hi,
Pity I stumbled across this site after damage has been done….
I need to cash American Express Travelers checks…
Will be arriving in Cebu 3 December 09…
Please help me….
Where can I cash it?
Hi Hilton – All I an say is good luck… it is very difficult to cash traveler’s checks here.
Just want to know if Bank of America still offer banking services in the Philippines.
I am not aware of any Bank of America presence in the Philippines.
Hi, Bob,
I have the permanent resident visa and I’m from the USA and collecting social security and va pensions and to save the $60 usd worth of atm fees every month I took out a Metro Bank Savings ATM account and the Metro banker faxed the informtion needed to Manila to have both of my pensions transferred from my USA account but its been nothing but delay since November when my pensions should have been transferred. Today I was told by the Metro banker that the VA Regional office in Manila required that your pensions be put into a passbook savings account instead of the one I had. Here it is nearly January and my pensions won’t be transferred again so I’ve lost $180 already on atm fees which I’ll have to pay. I’m not required at Wells Fargo to keep a certain amount of money in my account to receive my two pensions. Why would I have to maintain 10,000 pesos in an account over here to get my pensions? Is that a regulation and why?
Hi Robert. Sorry to hear of your problems. I have never heard about such things before, so I do not believe it is a law or regulation. Perhaps it is just a policy of the bank in question.
Hey Bob,
Forgive me if this has already been posted in your comments as I haven’t sifted through all of them (there are a lot), but my girlfriend is a foreign student in Manila and she told me her mother obtained an ACR card to open a bank account at BDO there. Hope this helps your readers.
OK, Scott. Thanks for sharing that!
I just opened an account with BPI. I entered the branch at SM Cebu armed with a introduction letter from my US bank. I requested this letter before I left the states. It was simple and easy process to open the account with 3000 PHP. I was then permitted to deposit a personal check from the same US bank. This check will take 3 to 4 weeks to clear but will be deposited into my BPI dollar account and I can decide when to transfer into my BPI Piso account. so I can determine when the exchange rate is most favorable to me. When I do this BPI is within 25 centavos of the published rate. The best part is this is money transfer from my US bank to BPI is free, no charges, no fees, nothing. I was able to do this with out my ACR I card as I did not yet receive it. I did tell the manager that I was living in Moalboal and leased a home there, that I have relocated to PH for the rest of my life. No problems….I will be changing my status to a retirement visa at some point but want to be sure before committing myself to that level.
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
Eric, congratulations to you. You did everything right and it is obvious to me that you really understand the way things work here.
Thank you so much for sharing your success story.
I just opened an account with BPI. I entered the branch at SM Cebu armed with a introduction letter from my US bank. I requested this letter before I left the states. It was simple and easy process to open the account with 3000 PHP. I was then permitted to deposit a personal check from the same US bank. This check will take 3 to 4 weeks to clear but will be deposited into my BPI dollar account and I can decide when to transfer into my BPI Piso account. so I can determine when the exchange rate is most favorable to me. When I do this BPI is within 25 centavos of the published rate. The best part is this is money transfer from my US bank to BPI is free, no charges, no fees, nothing. I was able to do this with out my ACR I card as I did not yet receive it. I did tell the manager that I was living in Moalboal and leased a home there, that I have relocated to PH for the rest of my life. No problems….I will be changing my status to a retirement visa at some point but want to be sure before committing myself to that level.
It’s more fun in the Philippines!
Bob,
For me USAA is where one of my retirements goes direct deposit. Then I use an ATM here in the Philippines. At the end of the month USAA reimburses all ATM Fee’s charged here and does not impose any on me. Just a head’s up.
Thanks for sharing. My bank does almost the same thing, except they immediately refund atm charges, I don’t have to wait till the end of the month.
Hi I am going to go to the Philippines on September and stay their for 1month. Is that passable to open a bank acound in the PNB bank when I get to the Philippines. I am a Philipines Australian. Most of my document are Australian. But I still have my old philippines passport with me. Is that ok to use my old passport to open an account in the Philippines?
Thanks.
I can’t make any guarantees, because I don’t know enough about you, but you should be able to open a bank account.
I truly believe foreigners who plan to stay in the Philippines from 3 to 6 months or longer would need the following Identification either (1) postal ID- (2) Barangay ID- it shows the physical address where you gonna be staying in the philippines. You can obtain this 2 ID from a nearest Barangay Sityo / Municipality where you are staying in the Philippines. (3) your foreign Passport and (4) your foreign Driver License.
Foreigners who were travelled all over the world and to the country they choose always highly WELCOME not only in the Philippines. “FOREIGNERS ARE TREATED UNIQUELY with EXTRA ORDINARY” when they’ll travel WORLDWIDE and stayed morethan 3 months foreigner’s are very well respected.
Foreigners who wish and plan to stayed in those countries they’d choosen:-) must do diligently while staying in the country, due to certain countries…….They do have certain Government Rules.
Regards and God blessed,
Miss New Jersey
Hello A. Aquino. I feel certain that you are sincere with the information you are sharing. However, the truth is that the information you are giving is simply incorrect.
What is needed is a Passport and an ACR I-Card. The other things you list are simply not needed to get a bank account in the Philippines.
Hi Bob, I am new to the Phils (9mths). I tried to open a bank account at the Metro bank. They would not let me do that without an ACR card. I am on a tourist visa but somehow I was able to obtain an ACR card. Is this normal as the question at the top of this page says it is not. ? Thanks Norm
Yes, Norman, the policy has changed. Tourists are not only eligible for an ACR, but required to get one if they are here for more than 59 days.